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Erie PA News and Events for Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Posted by ErieBlogs on July 23, 2008
Industrial employment in Pennsylvania dropped 1.2% over the last year according to the 2009 Pennsylvania Manufacturers Register published annually by Manufacturers’ News, Inc. Pennsylvania lost 10,684 industrial jobs from May 2007 to May 2008, which continues the decline of industrial jobs since 2001. Northwest Pennsylvania is down 1% on average while Erie is down 4.8% over the year. Out of the top 5 industrial cities in Pennsylvania, Erie had the largest decline.
Last week the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association held its annual summer meeting in Erie at the Bayfront Convention Center. The gathering of district attorneys approved a resolution urging state legislator to close a loophole that allows the subpoena of law-enforcement official’s cellular phone records without their consent or knowledge. Well it didn’t take very long to persuade at least one legislator. Representative Mike Vereb (Republican from Montgomery County) will be holding a press conference to announce proposed legislation closing the loophole.
The City of Erie zoning board overturned a decision by a zoning officer that initially gave the green light to Erie Renewable Energy (ERE) in its preliminary proposal to build a tire to energy plant. The height of two proposed boilers exceed a 100 foot height limit established by the city zoning law. ERE may appeal the ruling.
The PA Department of Environmental Protection reported that all of the states 110 mammography facilities it recently inspected are operating within the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In Erie County, the following facilities were inspected: Hamot Breast Health Center, Hamot Imaging Center North East, Millcreek Community Hospital, and The Regional Cancer Center.
Yesterday we posted information about the Alliance to Stop I-80 Tolling and their effort to prevent I-80 from becoming a toll road. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission seems unfazed and announced that an amended application seeking authority to toll Interstate 80 was resubmitted to the Federal Highway Administration. More than half of I-80 (which is 311 miles long) has exceeded its design life and the proposed tolling of the interstate is seen as a remedy for the problem.
A couple of weeks ago Rich posted an entry about the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law and how the state was supposed to implement a searchable contract database by July 1st. That deadline came and went but yesterday the Pennsylvania Treasury Department announced the database is finally online. The Contracts e-Library contains all contracts entered into with the State of Pennsylvania. Despite a few bugs in the search capabilities, we haven’t found anything worth noting. If you do feel free to describe what you find in the comments.
Two Erie bloggers have notable Erie related entries worth reading. Blogger kc has some behind the scenes info on the Penn State Behrend annual reunion this weekend, including events that are free and open to the public. Blogger Bojosmom writes that PaPa Joe’s Pepperoni Cafe at 402 West 8th Street, has reopened for business after the business suffered a flood and subsequent water damage. Thank you Erie bloggers for keeping your community informed!
Having a hard time staying away from the Presque Isle Downs and Casino and want to keep yourself from gambling? Complete the following form: “Request for voluntary self-exclusion from gaming activities” [PDF]. By submitting this form you will be barred from entering and gambling at any Pennsylvania casino, and if caught, prosecuted with trespass. David Bupp of Lebanon, Pa., who voluntarily entered into the agreement, has been charged with criminal trespass after he was recognized by a security guard when leaving a Harrisburg area casino. The self-exclusion list in Pennsylvania now has 342 people on it. More information on the program here.
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry has appointed a new forester to oversee operations in Northwest Pennsylvania. Cecile M. Stelter was appointed district forester for the districts Warren, Erie, Crawford, and Forest counties and a section of Venango County.
The Highmark Foundation awarded nearly $526,000 in grants to 65 elementary, middle and high schools across Pennsylvania that will support programs that address bullying prevention and self-esteem, improve nutrition education, enhance nutrition choices and provide opportunities for physical activity. The following area schools received grants: General McLane High School and the James W. Parker Middle School, Iroquois Elementary School, and in the Erie School District Woodrow Wilson Middle School and elementary schools Glenwood, Lincoln, and Pfeiffer-Burleigh.
The 5th Annual Erie SeaWolves Fun Run/Walk (5k Run/2 mile Walk) will be held August 2nd, with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the race beginning at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central PA. For more information visit the event website or contact the Erie Office at 814-451-1135 or via email at staff@efwp. (Hat tip: Erie Sports Fans)
The Binghamton Mets lost 8-2 to the Seawolves in game 1 of last night’s doubleheader but came back with a vengeance in game 2 beating the Wolves 11-4. Tonights game is at 7 p.m. with the first 500 fans in attendance receiving a free t-shirt.
Two big events are coming up this weekend. Discover Presque Isle begins this Friday with a concert at beach 11, and various events running through-out Saturday and Sunday. If you’ve done enough discovering of Presque Isle in the past, you can always attend the Beer on the Bay Festival which runs this Saturday with two sessions of beer tasting and entertainment. More on these events in the next few days on ErieBlogs.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Parents of Autistic Children will be holding a golf tournament tomorrow at Whispering Woods Golf Course. The format will be a 4-man scramble, with team prizes and individual prizes (longest drives, closest to the pin, etc). The fee is $100 and includes your golf, a cart, lunch, and dinner.
A horse-drawn carriage tour and wine tasting will be held tomorrow—Thursday, July 24th, at 6:30 & 7:30 p.m., beginning at the Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 W. 6th St. This downtown carriage tour, organized by the Erie County Historical Society, focuses on the architecture of Erie including mansions, churches, other notable structures, as well as the Erie Extension Canal. Afterward, wine tasting from local wineries will be held at the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Seating is limited so reservations are required; please call 814-454-1813 Ext. 0 to make a reservation.
The Erie Block Party, held most Thursday evenings during the summer, will be held tomorrow on State Street between 13th and 14th Streets. Performance by the band Money Shot with the theme “a night in the islands.”
The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) has a number of events and movies planned for the summer running now to August 15. Thursdays, starting at 7 p.m., music will be played at the Amphitheater located at 6th Street and Frontier Drive. Friday nights at dusk, a family friendly movie will be played. LEAF’s mission is to expand the Arboretum at Frontier Park, as well as provided related recreational and educational programs for the community.
Every Friday at 8 p.m., now until September 26 (exception: September 5th) the Erie County Historical Society will hold a Ghosts and Legends Tour. Discover the mysteries of downtown Erie through a 1 1/2 hour walking tour. Since size of group tour is limited, reservations required; call (814) 454-1813, ext 0. Cost: $8 Adult, $4 Child.
The Erie Lions Club Save an Eye City vs County All-Star football game will be held July 25 at Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium, 26th and State Streets. The major purpose of the Save An Eye Game is to raise money to provide free eye care to low income children.
src=”http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:JO9q1U4j2wjaEM:http://www.woodennickelbuffalo.com/assets/mainanim.gif”> The Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm 2008 Native American Festival is July 26-27 at the farm in Edinboro. Hours are 11-6 daily. Admission is $3 per person, 3 and under are FREE.
The Gannon University ShakeXperience Theater Camp will be held Monday, July 28 through Saturday, August 2. This one-week resident high school (through graduation) theater camp is taught by members of Gannon’s theater program and qualified professionals. Classes are conducted in Shakespeare, text analysis, stage movement, rehearsal and performance. Workshops are offered in stage combat, period dance, and music. Includes a public matinee performance of CYMBELINE as part of the Shakespeare SummerNights outdoor threatre festival. Cost: $99 (includes room, board, and instruction fee). For more information, contact Fr Shawn Clerkin, (814) 871-7493.
The 8 Great Tuesdays concert series continues next Tuesday, July 29th, with an all time favorite. The rock band Jakes Blues will play from 6:30 - 9:30 at the Liberty Park, Pepsi Amphitheater. The event is free and shuttles to the park will be provided.
Minneapolis based duo Beatrix JAR returns to the Erie Art Museum,offering interactive events throughout the week beginning July 29, 2008 thru August 2, 2008. At each event, Beatrix JAR will present their unique stylings,including their most noted use of circuit bending verse traditional instrumental usage.
Area artists, hoteliers, and other tourism-based businesses are invited to participate in a free workshop that will stimulate ideas for partnerships along the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail. The Art and Tourism: Partnering for Success Workshops will be three-hours long and held in two locations in western Pennsylvania in at the end of July. The workshops will take place on July 30 from 8-11 a.m. in Erie at the Erie Art Museum and from 2 to 5p.m. in Meadville at the Days Inn. There is no fee for the workshops, but participants must register by contacting Jen Swain, the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail Coordinator at 570-265-7455 or by e-mail at jen.paroute6@penn.com.
The next Erie Philharmonic’s Get Your Phil At Noon Summer Music Series concert will be held August 12 at noon in front of the Warner Theater on State Street. The free lunch-hour ensemble concerts, designed to provide “music while you munch,” will feature a Philharmonic string quartet fully amplified and seating for the outdoor event. WQLN radio will broadcast live from the event this year.
A fundraising event for the Lindsay Graygo Empowerment Scholarship Fund will be held Wednesday, August 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Molly Brannigans. Celebrity bartenders will serve up your favorite drinks and a Chinese auction will be held. Bartender tips and auction proceeds will go to directly to the fund. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the Scholarship’s donation page.
The 2008 City of Erie Recreation Tennis Tournaments will be held once again at
Frontier Park. Adults: August 13-17 (session for juniors has passed). Applications are available at: PennBriar Health and Tennis Club, Westwood Racquet Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Kahkwa Club and Erie Sport Store’s downtown location. For more information contact Richard Beck at 835-5452.
The Erie Art Museum opens Art from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute in the Erie Art Museum’s Annex Gallery, 423 State Street, now through October 4. A public opening reception is scheduled for Gallery Night on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 from 6-10 p.m.
Erie to host young professionals from across the state at Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference ERIE, PA — Young professionals, business executives and civic leaders from across the state are invited to take part the Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference, being held Sept. 12-14 at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. This marks the first year the ImPAct Conference (Innovative Minds Creating Pennsylvania’s Tomorrow) will be held in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Posted by ErieBlogs at July 23, 2008 7:30 AM
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